Mark Keller

Sara Thiam is spot on. I can’t help but believe that if this was an industry on the doorsteps of the MPs in London taking these decisions then the outcome would have been different. This is what happens when you hand key decision making powers over your national interests to places that have different priorities. In the EU (not perfect by any means) at least sovereignty was shared and safeguards were in place for smaller nations. The U.K. is a mess with so much wealth yet cuts everywhere and self inflicted damage now being a hallmark (Brexit the biggest example?). The Scottish Parliament needs more powers to protect Scotland and promote our key sectors like energy, whisky etc As MSP for Moray that covers much of Speyside, you’ll appreciate why I am so angry with the way 🥃 is treated in these U.K. budgets.

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FARM ZERO C – Striving for Carbon Neutral As part of the PCF Sustainability Report, Food Drink Ireland is proud to work with member company Carbery Group Carbery Group launched Farm Zero C in 2020. The world first project for agriculture, based on the commercial 250 acre, 250 milking cow, Shinagh Farm in Bandon, Co. Cork, Farm Zero C aims to develop a climate neutral and economically viable dairy farm that can be replicated on other farms. This scheme plays a key role in helping Carbery Group move towards its Science Based Targets ambition to be net zero for Scope 3 emissions by 2043.  There have been extremely positive results so far, including a 19% reduction in farm emissions since 2020. The farm’s carbon footprint is 30% lower than the national average and in the top 1% of farms in Ireland. It has exceeded its target of at least 10% of farm area in natural or semi-natural habitat. 

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As the general election approaches, it’s crucial to reflect on the agricultural sector’s significance and the necessity of sustained support for our farmers. The dairy industry stands as Ireland’s largest indigenous sector, with approximately 17,500 dairy farms underpinning 55,000 jobs nationwide. In Cork alone, the agri-food sector contributes €4.2 billion annually to the local economy. Specifically, Carbery and the West Cork Co-ops support 1,180 farming families, bolstering rural communities. Despite these substantial economic contributions, the average dairy herd size remains modest, at about 92 cows per farm. The nitrates derogation permits farmers to maintain higher stocking rates, however this allowance comes with stringent environmental obligations. Farmers benefiting from the derogation must adhere to enhanced measures to protect water quality and are subject to more frequent inspections. Any further reduction in the derogation limit could render farming financially unviable for the average Carbery farming family. The agricultural sector is proactively implementing and investing in sustainable practices. Nonetheless, political and governmental support is vital to ensure the sector’s longevity. We appreciate the commitments from politicians and parties to uphold the nitrates derogation and support our farmers. Collectively, we must champion family farms, secure family incomes, and safeguard the future of our rural communities.

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The future of farming

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One of my client food producers makes a delicious dairy-based product. It is distributed through on-line sales and locally with a local distributor. In order to grow the business, they need weekly deliveries in-store. They already have been asked to sell into Cork and elsewhere in Munster but its the weekly delivery requirement that the product needs that is holding things up. The product has shelf-life, that's not the issue, but it sells out fast so always needs to be replenished on a weekly basis. (They can get fortnightly distribution no problem but that's not sufficient). Are you / does anyone know of a distributor or other producer who might be interested in taking on a new client with an established product? It must be chilled distribution with *weekly* deliveries into store in Munster. Or has anyone any other suggestions? (on-line sales are all sorted already, its the retail distribution route where help is needed). Thank you! #distribution #fooddistribution #Munster #chilledfood #chillchain #irishfood #localfood #distributor #fooddistributor

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If you are interested in learning more about the EIIS then I look forward to seeing you at the webinars to explain how you can save on your taxes this year. #taxsavings #EIIS #livinginIreland #Ahascraghdistillery

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'Innovating to minimise waste' As part of the PCF Sustainability Report, Food Drink Ireland is proud to work with member company Hilton Foods Hilton Foods Ireland has a long track record of partnership and innovation to address sustainability challenges. They have delivered a 54% reduction in the volume of Category 3 waste (waste derived from by-products that are fit for human consumption but not consumed by humans e.g. hooves, skin, bristles, feathers) over the 2020-2022 period. By the end of 2023, some 86% of this target had been achieved through a number of initiatives, including enhanced stock management procedures, additional collection points for any excess product, balancing production to longer runs and partnership with Food Cloud. Hilton Foods Ireland has made significant progress in reducing packaging waste, with data for 2022 some 40% lower than 2018. They are committed to actively implementing circular principles across its value chains and building further on the substantial progress made to date. https://lnkd.in/eKaPdDYE

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Teamwork is an essential element in the Waterford Estate’s winemaking journey. Winemakers Jamie Papenfus and Mark le Roux work diligently in the cold cellar year round, perfecting blends, and honing their palates as they craft Waterford Estate's authentic expression of the Helderberg Mountain. Drawing wine out of a barrel is called ‘thieving’ the wine, and the glass tool is called the wine thief as it steals the wine from the barrel for the winemakers to taste how the wine is integrating with the oak barrel. ____________________ #winemaking #waterfordestate #southafricanwine #stellenboschwines

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Our clients are often amazed at how seamlessly we’ve transformed their complex farming operations into robust weekly reporting and monitoring systems. The best part? All this data capture and reporting costs less than employing a general farm operative in Ireland for a year. We work internationally, partnering with clients to design bespoke systems tailored to their specific needs, helping them achieve clarity, efficiency, and sustainable success. Our website: https://lnkd.in/eug7ykRn #Farming #Horticulture #Agriculture #Performance

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The Irish drinks sector is embracing sustainability to help delivery on our national change targets. We are committed to mitigating our carbon emissions and are leading on the sustainability agenda, from innovative sustainable brewing and distilling practices to advancing circular economy, to reduced and recyclable packaging. Our industry provides funding for essential on-farm sustainability initiatives as part of the Teagasc Signpost Programme and other individual company programmes (regenerative agriculture, Spring Barley Scheme) to support farmers who strive to reduce CO2 emissions, while ensuring a sustainable supply of Irish grain. Through its Sustainable Together roadmap, the Irish whiskey industry is working together to make Ireland the home of the world’s most sustainable distilleries and whiskey brands, making a net-positive contribution to the environment and forming an important part of a regenerative and circular economy in Ireland. Review our Pride of Place policy document and how we support the drinks industry to continue to grow and thrive. https://lnkd.in/ekh5XaF8 #DrinkResponsibly #sustainability #climatechangetargets Cormac Healy Eoin Ó Catháin Aengus King Jennifer Wallace Ibec Richard Collumb Patricia Callan Patrick J Rigney

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Great spotlight by RTE Countrywide on changing profile of climate impacts on agriculture currently on Radio 1 highlights a hidden cost to food production. These sights can be seen all over Europe year after year. The big question for government and EU is, who pays for the increased production costs? The citizen wants to support the farmer but the consumer wants cheap food! Quite a paradox of dilemmas! 🌾🌍 #ClimateChange #Agriculture #FoodProduction #RTECountrywide #RTERadio1 #costofliving

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I was reminded today from a Facebook reminder and it stopped me in my tracks. I am compelled to pay tribute to my horticultural friend, collaborator, good guy and the early days support of sweet potato trials in Ireland 2006 -2011. Looking back, it's satisfying to see how far we've come from those humble beginnings and all the other good people, partners, staff, and customers I work with because of this first first very basic evolution. Jim's unwavering support paved the way for our first independent trial, despite initial skepticism from many. Jim sadly passed away in 2011. His legacy lives on through our sweetpotato continued success story and benefits shared by many many others, customers, colleagues and partners. Dermot Callaghan later stepped in to support our second and third trial 2010, 2011, 2012, marking the progression to a local Northern European grown option for this crop. At that time 2006 - 2011 there was only a very slowly emerging sweetpotato consumption in Northern Europe. Sometimes and I think more for younger Agri professionals than I was then, it’s easy be dismissive and discouraging of what seems illogical. However a small grain of support, imagination and generosity from the state sector can help a lot more than there cost. This support came also from across the Atlantic at LSU AgCenter from Don Labonte a very open minded collaborator. I don’t see this spirit and glint in the eye devilment attitude to the seemingly imposdible as strong as it was with Jim who also got push back on allowing resources for this trial to even happen. The system is broken in this regard and risk is a dirty word in such endeavours with no financial model for Agri innovation of this type at primary Agriculture level! Reflecting on the journey, we must honor those who believed in us, even in what seem to be small things, when few others did. Read more about the first official trial story here. I feel glad I recorded it, even if amatuerish, at the time on this self made blog post. Ironically despite the success and commercial merit of this trial no commercial protected crop rotation production for sweetpotato since occurred in Ireland at scale. I failed in this regard and enjoyably continue to do so! However there has been significant business development benefits and value to our business since then and this early work initiated the ultimate establishment of our Joint Venture company in Portugal www.NativaLand.com . Finally and also even more significantly we took this innovation model into our other spin out crops we now emerging. Rest in Peace Jim and thank you for your support in our endeavours. #innovation #sustainability https://lnkd.in/eUqiCZ2B

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Cooks Coffee Company announces that it has entered an agreement between Dairygold Agri Business Limited & Esquires Coffee House Ireland Ltd for Esquires to operate & manage four cafés within Co-Op Superstores owned by Dairygold Food Ingredients (UK) in #Ireland. 🔗Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/exctUSCS #COOK #Coffee

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British / Irish food systems: Interconnected, interdependent and highly integrated. Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board reports that the UK exports €4.8bn to Ireland and Ireland exports €5.3bn to UK, each fulfilling gaps in distinctive and separate categories in our food and drink sectors. Ireland is a highly trusted source of food for British consumers, and our industries are highly interconnected and fully interdependent. There is great opportunity for further integration, and to work collaboratively to meet the UK government goal to increase self-sufficiency from 58% to 70%, at the same time as addressing persistent supply chain security concerns, in what continues to be a volatile period. Bryan, Kieran, Mary, Lorna, Shane, Alexandra, Ken, Chloe, Karen, Jenna, Conor, Brian, Fergus, Orla Mc, Aisling

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